PH ICMS Glossary

A

Accompaniment

Accompaniment to appointments with medical, mental health, and/or other care providers, as well as accompaniment to leasing appointments and more, is a core ICMS activity. It involves walking with the participant—not behind or in front of them—lending solidarity, a shoulder, a sounding board, and a word of counsel or caution. Accompaniment ensures that participants make it to their meetings while having the support they need, ultimately preventing lapses in needed care and/or support. Accompaniment to PCP appointments is recommended for each participant at least once per quarter.

Action Steps

The strategies that the ICMS practitioner and the participant agree to implement, such as counseling, education, referrals, or advocacy to improve an aspect(s) of the participant's overall well-being. Action steps are an essential part of a Care Plan that inform participant progress. Action steps should be tailored to the participant's needs, preferences, and circumstances, and ideally be based on evidence and best practices. All action steps should be recorded with sufficient detail in CHAMP.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Fundamental daily tasks that are essential for personal care and survival. ADLs include bathing, personal hygiene, grooming, toileting & continence, eating & feeding, dressing, and moving/transferring. An assessment of participant ADLs is used to determine a 5x5 score, which helps to indicate if a participant has any unaddressed caregiving needs. See also: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs); Caregiving

Affordable Housing

Varies from project to project, but generally refers to housing units that are made more affordable to households with low to moderate incomes. The goal is to ensure that people are not financially burdened by their housing costs. Typically, these buildings are reserved for people with incomes below a certain threshold. Income limits: Extremely Low Income: Less than 30% of Area Median Income (AMI); Very Low Income: 30-50% AMI; Low Income: 50-80% AMI. PLEASE NOTE: It is always important to check to see if the voucher being held by the ICMS participant can be used in affordable housing. In many cases, this is not possible because doing so would be considered 'double dipping.'

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Continued support after SUD treatment that helps participants navigate recovery and lower the risk of returning to harmful use.

Area Median Income (AMI)

A measure used by HUD and all LAC homelessness programs to set income levels for geographic areas to set eligibility for various affordable housing programs. Represents the median income of all households in that geographic area. Income categories: Extremely Low Income: <30% AMI ($29,150 for 1 person); Very Low Income: 30-50% AMI; Low Income: 50-80% AMI; Moderate Income: 80%-120% AMI. Median Family Income in LA County is $98,200 per year.

C

CalAIM

California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) was introduced to make Medi-Cal public insurance program more flexible and better able to integrate more seamlessly with other social services. It enables Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans to couple clinical care with a range of non-medical services, which are then reimbursed by Medi-Cal, including housing supports, medical respite, personal care, medically tailored meals, and peer supports.

Care Facility Operators

An essential tool that allows ICMS practitioners and program participants to mutually outline goals, action steps, and resources needed to improve an aspect(s) of the participant's overall well-being. Care plans are formed based on the principles of client-centered, collaborative, and outcome-oriented case management. Care plans need to be regularly reviewed, updated, and revised to reflect the changing needs, preferences, and circumstances of participants and ICMS practitioners.

Care Plan

An essential tool that allows ICMS practitioners and program participants to mutually outline goals, action steps, and resources needed to improve an aspect(s) of the participant's overall well-being. Care plans are formed based on the principles of client-centered, collaborative, and outcome-oriented case management. Care plans need to be regularly reviewed, updated, and revised to reflect the changing needs, preferences, and circumstances of participants and ICMS practitioners.

Caregiving

Helping someone with their daily needs when they're unable to do so for themselves, helping participants impacted by various conditions stay in their homes or in transitional shelter settings instead of moving to care facilities. See also: In-Home Supportive Supportive Services (IHSS); In-Home Caregiving (IHCG).

CENS

See Client Engagement Navigation Services (CENS).

CHAMP

See Comprehensive Health Accompaniment and Management Platform (CHAMP).

Chronically Homeless

A person who meets the homeless definition and has been homeless for at least 1 year or on at least 4 separate occasions in the last 3 years. Housing or services may be reserved for this group.

Client Engagement Navigation Services (CENS)

Program under SAPC that is available for ICMS participants seeking substance use counseling and/or linkage to various forms of substance use treatment. CENS providers conduct outreach, engagement, screening, treatment referral coordination, educational sessions, and ancillary linkages.

Comprehensive Health Accompaniment and Management Platform (CHAMP)

The primary information management system used to track provision of all PSH ICMS, and to track billing for these services.

Continuum of Care (COC)

A collaborative funding and planning approach that helps communities plan for and provide a full range of emergency, transitional, and permanent housing and other service resources to address the various needs of people experiencing homelessness. CoC’s are set by and required by HUD. In LAC, LAHSA is the COC.

Coordinated Entry System (CES)

The network that aligns homeless services in the County together to ensure that resources are efficiently and equitably distributed to support people experiencing homelessness.

D

Damage Mitigation

Damages identified after Participants have vacated the unit for which the Housing Provider will be responsible.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is one of the executive departments of the U.S. federal government. It administers federal housing and urban development laws.

E

Enriched Residential Care (ERC)

Provides comprehensive mental health and rehabilitative services in a non-institutional residential setting for individuals 18 and older, who would be at risk of hospitalization, re-hospitalization or other institutional placement.

F

Fair Market Rent (FMR)

Published annually by HUD to establish estimates of gross rent, taking into account both the rent and the cost of necessary utilities (e.g., water and power), excluding option utilities (e.g., cable, internet). FMR’s vary depending upon the geographic area.

Family

Households consisting of one or more minor children (17 or under). This includes same-sex partners, intergenerational families, unmarried couples with children, and households without minor children where one member is pregnant. Definition is determined by asking the household “Who are the members of your family?”.

Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool (FHSP) Program

The supportive housing rental subsidy program created by the County DHS HFH, now overseen by HSH.

G

General Assistance Funds (GA/GR)

Funds designed to provide relief and support to adults who are not supported by their own means, other public funds, or assistance programs.

H

Harm Reduction

A set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. It is a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs, empowering participants with the choice to live healthy, self-directed lives.

HMIS

A local information technology system used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to individuals and families at risk of and experiencing homelessness. Each CoC selects a solution that complies with HUD's data collection, management, and reporting standards.

Hospice Care

A program that provides comfort care and support for people who are terminally ill and/or approaching the end of their life. Hospice care focuses on patient comfort, quality of life, and peace. It includes supports with patient ADLs/IADLs, care coordination, mobility support, and grief counseling.

Housing Assistance Payment Contract

The contractual agreement between the Public Housing Agency (PHA) and the owner of a housing unit occupied by a housing program Participant.

Housing First

A policy that offers unconditional, permanent housing as quickly as possible to people experiencing homelessness, and other supportive services afterward.

Housing Provider(s)

Individual(s) or entities that own, master lease, manage, or develop housing units for individuals and/or families (e.g., non-profit entities, affordable housing developers, and private market housing).

Housing Re-Certification

On at least an annual basis, the household must meet with the Housing Provider to re-verify its income and family composition to ensure total tenant payment and subsidy amounts are accurate.

Housing Subsidy

Government funded financial assistance programs designed to mitigate the costs of housing for low-income tenants. Subsidies can be provided as housing vouchers given to tenants (e.g. Section 8) or via direct deposits to landlords with government contracts.

HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS)

Basic housing quality standards (HQS) that all rental units must meet before assistance can be paid on behalf of a family and at least annually throughout the term of the assisted tenancy. HQS define 'standard housing' and establish the minimum criteria for the health and safety of program Participants.

HQS Inspection Tool

Guidelines defining 'standard housing' and establishing the minimum quality criteria necessary for the health and safety of program Participants.

I

IADLS

See Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLS).

ICMS

See Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS).

ICMS Practitioner

A professional who assists in the planning, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of support services for enrolled program participants with emphasis on quality of care, continuity of services, and cost-effectiveness.

ICMS Provider(s)

Provide housing support to individuals through a case management approach with the goal of helping Participants maintain an optimum quality of life through enhancing life skills, addressing health and mental health needs, engaging in meaningful activities, and building social and community relations to Participants in the FHSP Program.

ICMS Snapshot

A recurring data report generated and shared with each ICMS Provider at least once weekly. Intended to support ICMS Providers with having a user-friendly view of key programmatic data for their entire ICMS roster for proactive and efficient service coordination and monitoring performance.

IHCG

See In-Home Caregiving (IHCG).

IHOP

See Interim Housing Outreach Program (IHOP).

IHSS

See In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS).

Imminent Risk of Homelessness

An individual or family who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence within 14 days of application, has no subsequent residence identified, and lacks the resources/support needed to obtain other permanent housing.

Income Certification

Household income certification is conducted by Contractor on an annual basis to determine Participants eligibility. A live-in aide’s income shall not be used when calculating the household income.

In-Home Caregiving (IHCG)

Managed by LA County HSH, serves as a temporary bridge that offers quicker access to caregiving support for participants with unmet ADL/IADL needs until they able to hire an IHSS funded caregiver. Concludes 60 days after IHSS approval to allow time to hire a new caregiver.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

California’s program that funds caregiving support for participants with unmet ADL/IADL needs, including long-term arrangements, administered by DPSS in LA County.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Refers to household and community tasks that support independent living, such as managing finances, shopping for groceries, preparing meals, managing medication, using transportation, and housekeeping.

Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS)

Critical interventions to get people from being unhoused to stably permanently housed and being part of a thriving community. The interventions are designed to assist participants with achieving and maintaining optimal physical health, mental health, and housing stability.

Interim Housing (IH)

Safe temporary accommodations for people who otherwise have nowhere to spend the night. IH facilities may be congregate or non-congregate settings, and some serve specific populations.

Interim Housing Outreach Program (IHOP)

Program which addresses gaps in behavioral health and physical health services among functionally disabled PEH who are staying in an interim housing (IH) or homeless shelter setting to connect them to stabilizing services.

L

Literally Homeless

Described status for an individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning they: Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation; Or, are living in a temporary shelter; Or, are exiting an institution where (s)he has resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution.

M

Managed Care Plans (MCPs)

Care plans that couple clinical care with a range of new non-medical services (which are reimbursed by Medi-Cal) including housing supports, medical respite, personal care, medically-tailored meals, and peer supports. As a part of CalAIM, MCPs assist in incentivizing public health systems to be more responsive.

O

Occupancy Standards

The state and federal standards that restrict the number of persons residing within a housing unit by utilizing formulas based upon the square footage of bedroom sizes.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

A federal agency in the United States committed to safeguarding worker health and safety.

ORCHID

The DHS enterprise electronic health record system across Los Angeles County, allowing for the sharing of client health information across all DHS facilities via three main environments: PowerChart (inpatient/outpatient), FirstNet (Emergency/Urgent Care), and SurgiNet (surgical services).

P

Participant(s)

Any individual enrolled in a program within the Housing for Health system of care.

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

Permanent housing in which housing assistance (e.g., long-term leasing or rental assistance) and supportive services are provided to assist households with at least one member (adult or child) with a disability in achieving housing stability.

Personal Emergency Response System

Also known as Medical Emergency Response System, this is a small device that allows a Participant to call for help in an emergency by pushing a button.

Person(s) Experiencing Homelessness (PEH)

Term used to describe people who consistently or entirely lack a safe, stable housing arrangement. PEH are at a greater risk of a number of health issues and other challenges, including substance use disorders, infectious diseases, and chronic health conditions.

Project Based Housing

Units within a building or buildings on a single property providing Permanent Supportive Housing to Participants.

Property Manager(s)

Individual(s) or company throughout Los Angeles County participating in the FHSP Program responsible for overseeing and managing real estate properties for Participants.

Public Housing Authorities (PHAs)

Public organizations that partner with Housing for Health to support in the development and operation of permanent supportive housing (PSH) across LA County, including HACLA, LACDA, and city based housing authorities.

Q

Quality Control Plan (QCP)

A living document that outlines the methods taken for quality control of critical policies and procedures necessary to deliver ICMS of the highest quality possible. QCPs should include written descriptions of the measurements, inspections, and checks put in place to ensure quality.

R

Recovery

A personal journey to improve health, wellness, and self-direction. It is not just a lack of symptoms. It involves striving to reach one's full potential, is rooted in hope and respect, and can involve building healthy relationships, securing housing, accessing education, and addressing mental health/trauma.

Rent Burdened

The percentage of a household’s income that is spent on housing-related expenses (rent and utilities). Households spending more than 60% of their income on rent and utilities are considered to be 'extremely rent-burdened'.

Rental Arrears

Funds owed when a tenant is being sued by the landlord or being evicted, due to past due rent.

Rental Subsidy Agreement (RSA)

A contractual agreement between a project owner or other entity and an agency to provide rental assistance to tenants.

Rental Subsidy Calculation Tool

Calculates the maximum amount of housing assistance allowable. The maximum housing assistance is generally the lesser of the payment standard minus 30% of the family’s monthly adjusted income or the gross rent for the unit minus 30% of monthly adjusted income.

Resources

The supports or services that a participant can access through Action Steps, as part of an overall Care Plan.

S

Skid Row Action Plan (SRAP)

A program developed by Housing for Health in collaboration with stakeholders, business owners, and community members living and working in Skid Row in order to comprehensively address the need for more interim and permanent housing, behavioral health support, substance use treatment, and other services.

Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC)

This program leads and facilitates the delivery of a full spectrum of prevention, treatment, and recovery services proven to reduce the impact of substance use, abuse, and addiction in LA County.

Substance Use

The use of any substance, including alcohol, drugs, or other psychoactive substances, for casual, recreational or experimental purposes.

Substance Use Care Navigation

A clinically diagnosed condition marked by compulsive substance use. It ranges from mild to severe, involving control struggles, negative impacts on wellbeing, and persistence despite known harm. SUD often co-occurs with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

A clinically diagnosed condition marked by compulsive substance use. It ranges from mild to severe, involving control struggles, negative impacts on wellbeing, and persistence despite known harm. SUD often co-occurs with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. See also: SUD Treatment

SUD Treatment

A continuum of clinical interventions to help reduce or stop harmful substance use. See also: Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

T

Tenant Based Housing

Properties providing Permanent Supportive Housing to Participants, as codified in an executed Rental Subsidy Agreement (RSA).

Trauma Informed

Not reinforcing stigma and shame. Addressing the consequences of trauma and facilitating healing through the core values of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. Providing low-threshold services with minimal amounts of paperwork, driven by the basic recognition that participants to services that recognize their strengths, and that they are agents of change in finding stability in housing.

U

Unit Identification

The process by which the Intensive Case Management Services Provider conducts a housing search with a Participant to identify and apply for a housing unit within the County housing market.

Unit Matching

The process of matching a referred Participants to an open unit in the FHSP Program.

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

HUD is one of the executive departments of the U.S. federal government. It administers federal housing and urban development laws.